Abkhazia Looks for Closer Ties with Russia

(Tbilisi. March 11, 2003. Civil Georgia) – Abkhaz de facto Prime-Minister Genadi Gagulia said ?Abkhazia looks for integration into Russia.?

Gagulia, which attended the meeting of the Russian and Georgian Presidents in Sochi on March 7, commented on Eduard Shevardnadze?s statement that Georgia is ready to consider becoming a ?federal state in order to allow special status for its breakaway regions of Abkhazia.?

?Shevardnadze returns back in 1992, when the Abkhaz side offered to create a federation, but Tbilisi rejected. Now we do not want to return back, we even do not want to consider this proposal,? Abkhaz de facto Prime-Minister told the Russian news agency Interfax.

Abkhaz envoy to Russia Igor Akhba also categorically rejected on March 10 Georgian President?s proposal on creation of federal state.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)